PROMOTING AND PROTECTING HUMAN RIGHTS ACROSS WIDER EUROPE

Transcription

1 PROMOTING ND PROTECTING HUMN RIGHTS CROSS WIDER EUROPE STRTEGIC PLN

2 STRTEGIC PLN CONTENTS 1. INTRODUCTION bout NHRIs bout ENNHRI ENNHRI STRTEGIC PLNNING PROCESS Term Research, analysis and consultation Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats VLUES, VISION, ND MISSION STRTEGIC GOLS MONITORING ND EVLUTION NNEX I: MEMBERS... NNEX II: GOVERNNCE

3 STRTEGIC PLN INTRODUCTION 1.1. bout NHRIs National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) are state-mandated bodies, independent of government, with a broad constitutional or legal mandate to protect and promote human rights at the national level. ccreditation The United Nations Paris Principles 1 set out the minimum standards required by national human rights institutions to be considered credible and operate effectively. These are: Establishment under primary law or the Constitution broad mandate to promote and protect human rights Formal and functional independence Pluralism, representing all aspects of society dequate resources and financial autonomy Freedom to address any human rights issue arising nnual reporting on the national human rights situation Cooperation with national and international actors The Global lliance of NHRIs uses the Paris Principles to accredit NHRIs according to the degree that they meet the criteria set out above. The following classifications are used for NHRI accreditation: Compliant with the Paris Principles B Partially compliant with the Paris Principles 1 dopted by General ssembly resolution 48/134 of 20 December ENNHRI STRTEGIC PLN

4 Functions NHRIs are key components of a strong and effective national human rights protection system. They address the full range of human rights, such as civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights. NHRIs functions include: Monitoring and investigating the human rights situation on the ground, such as freedom of expression and assembly Reporting to international monitoring bodies such as the UN and Council of Europe Providing support for individuals to enforce their rights, through complaints handling or legal assistance dvising government, parliament and other public bodies to address core human rights concerns, as well as to eradicate all forms of discrimination Publishing research, recommendations and opinions Ensuring the compliance of national laws and practices with all international human rights norms, including UN Treaties, the European Convention on Human Rights and the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights Promoting a culture of rights, through training and awareness raising activities on a variety of issues, such as the right to adequate housing, health or education Supporting the work of human rights defenders to combat issues such as torture, arbitrary detention, and human trafficking Cooperating with NGOs, civil society, networks and regional bodies 1.2. bout ENNHRI The European Network of National Human Rights Institutions (ENNHRI) brings together around 40 NHRIs across the wider European region. 2 ENNHRI s goal under its statutes is to enhance the promotion and protection of human rights across the Europe region. ENNHRI s members have a diversity of mandates and operate in different national contexts. They are all committed to the same goals and work together to promote and protect human rights across Europe. Background Governance 3 ENNHRI is one of four regional networks of NHRIs, which together make up the Global lliance of NHRIs. Previously known as the European Group of NHRIs, ENNHRI has been working for over 15 years to promote and protect human rights in Europe. It carries this out through: assisting in the establishment and accreditation of NHRIs; coordinating exchange of information and best practice between members; facilitating capacity building and training; engaging with regional mechanisms; and intervening on legal and policy developments at a European level. Since 2013, ENNHRI has been constituted as an international not-for-profit association under Belgian law, with a Permanent Secretariat and registered office in Brussels. ENNHRI s General ssembly, made up of all members, is the highest decision making body. ENNHRI s governing body is the European Coordinating Committee (ECC), which comprises six status NHRIs elected from ENNHRI s members and led by its Chair. ENNHRI s Permanent Secretariat, based in Brussels, is responsible for ENNHRI s day-to-day management and provides a central point of contact. 2 list of ENNHRI members, as of December 2015, is included at nnex I 3 full description of ENNHRI s governance structure is included at nnex II ENNHRI STRTEGIC PLN

5 STRTEGIC PLN STRTEGIC PLNNING PROCESS During 2013, ENNHRI undertook extensive research, analysis and consultation, in order to inform members in their discussion and development of ENNHRI s Strategic Plan Term The timeframe initially allocated to the Strategic Plan was However, given that most of the Secretariat staff came into post in late 2015, it was extended by one year, to be operational from 2014 to Research, analysis and consultation Membership Survey The Membership Survey was undertaken from ugust to September 2013, on the basis of a questionnaire to which over 80% of ENNHRI Members responded. The survey collected members views on ENNHRI s past work; on ENNHRI s role, functions and future work; and on how ENNHRI s values, mission and vision should be defined. report on the Survey was produced and shared with members in October Discussion Paper The Discussion Paper was prepared to outline key issues for decision by ENNHRI. It also proposed several quality criteria, namely that it should: be coherent and readily operationalised; reflect ENNHRI s organisational character as a membership association and network; provide a platform for accountability to members and external stakeholders; and respond to members needs, priorities and resources on an on-going basis. Situational Review The Situational Review was developed through extensive desk research. It assessed ENNHRI s internal strengths and weaknesses, at the level of the network, as well as at the level of ENNHRI s individual member institutions. It also addressed opportunities and threats posed by ENNHRI s external environment. Strategic Planning Meeting In November 2013, over 90% of ENNHRI s members convened for a Strategic Planning Meeting in Budapest, Hungary. The meeting enjoyed support from the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe s Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights. t the conclusion of that meeting, the members adopted the Vision, Mission and Strategic Goals for The Membership Survey Report, Situational Review and Discussion Paper for Strategic Planning are available on ENNHRI s website or on request from ENNHRI s Secretariat. 4 ENNHRI STRTEGIC PLN

6 2.3. Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats The Membership Survey and the Situational Review included a review of ENNHRI s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. S ENNHRI s key strengths were found to be: the legacy of its past work its representative regional voice the establishment of a Permanent Secretariat ENNHRI s challenges were considered to be: W its limited resources, at both Secretariat and membership level the diversity of members needs insufficient communications and profile the need for institutional development The opportunities available to ENNHRI were identified as: O international engagement with various bodies to further human rights protection in Europe collaboration between members strengthening NHRIs enhancing communications and visibility through the newly established Secretariat T The threats to ENNHRI were recorded as: limited funding in times of economic crisis unequal participation by members the potential duplication of the work of other regional networks ENNHRI STRTEGIC PLN

7 STRTEGIC PLN VLUES, VISION, MISSION ENNHRI s values are: Respect of international human rights standards Transparency Cooperation ccountability Participation Non-discrimination Independence VLUES ENNHRI s vision is: ISIONThe universal and effective enjoyment of human rights throughout Europe ENNHRI s mission is: Supporting and strengthening European NHRIs to protect and promote human rights effectively, in line with the Paris Principles MISSION 6 ENNHRI STRTEGIC PLN

8 STRTEGIC PLN STRTEGIC GOLS Core Objectives ENNHRI has defined its Strategic Goals with reference to the following Core Objectives: SUPPORTING THE DEVELOPMENT OF NHRIs CROSS EUROPE, IN LINE WITH THE PRIS PRINCIPLES ENHNCING EUROPEN NHRIs ENGGEMENT WITH REGIONL ND INTERNTIONL FRMEWORKS FCILITTING NETWORK COMMUNICTIONS BUILDING STRONG ND SUSTINBLE SECRETRIT Core objective Key Result reas B Supporting the development of NHRIs across Europe in line with the Paris Principles Facilitating network communications Supporting capacity development of European NHRIs Supporting ICC 5 accreditation of NHRIs Supporting the establishment of NHRIs Strengthening internal communications among members and between members and the secretariat Facilitating communications and engagement with external stakeholders C D Enhancing European NHRIs engagement with regional and international frameworks Building a strong and sustainable secretariat Supporting ENNHRI meetings and ENNHRI Working Groups Supporting ENNHRI members participation in ICC processes and institutions, individually and collectively Supporting, as a priority, ENNHRI members participation in regional processes and institutions, in cooperation with ICC Supporting ENNHRI members participation in international processes and institutions, in cooperation with ICC Building strong organisational and administrative systems Developing and implementing a fundraising strategy 5 The International Coordinating Committee for National Human Rights Institutions (ICC) is the Global lliance of NHRIs. ENNHRI STRTEGIC PLN

9 STRTEGIC PLN MONITORING & EVLUTION To ensure accountability to ENNHRI members and external stakeholders, including donors, the Strategic Plan and the annual Operational Plans are subject to monitoring and evaluation measures to assess progress towards implementation. These measures include: management framework, detailing roles and responsibilities of the Chair, Secretariat, ECC and members, in relation to planning, monitoring and evaluation The development of annual Operational Plans, on the basis of adequate consultation with the ECC and the ENNHRI membership, and annual work plans for the Secretariat Six-monthly progress reporting on implementation of the Strategic Plan and annual Operational Plans, with reports to be prepared by the Secretariat and Chair and to be distributed to the ECC and ENNHRI membership Evaluation of implementation of the Strategic Plan after its term is completed, which will be independent if resources are sufficient ENNHRI further aims to ensure that the implementation of its Strategic Plan is informed and driven, on a continuing basis, by the needs, priorities, capacities and resources of ENNHRI members. It also seeks to ensure that the Strategic Plan reflects what is needed to realise ENNHRI s Vision and Mission, taking into account a dynamic external environment. ccordingly, ENNHRI will provide for the full participation of member institutions in the periodic monitoring and evaluation processes identified above. This will include presentation of progress reports to members and opportunities for dialogue on these at each ENNHRI General ssembly meeting. 8 ENNHRI STRTEGIC PLN

10 STRTEGIC PLN NNEX I: ENNHRI MEMBERS Country Institution Website ccreditation lbania vokati Popullit (People s dvocate) rmenia Human Rights Defender Institution of the Republic of rmenia ustria Volksanwaltschaft (ustrian Ombudsman Board) B zerbaijan The Office of the Commissioner for Human Rights (Ombudsman) of the Republic of zerbaijan Belgium Interfederal Centre for Equal Opportunities and Opposition to Discrimination and Racism No ccreditation Belgium Federal Migration Centre (Myria) No ccreditation Belgium Service de lutte contre la pauvreté, la précarité et l'exclusion sociale No ccreditation Bosnia and Herzegovina Institution of Human Rights Ombudsmen of Bosnia and Herzegovina Bulgaria The Ombudsman of the Republic of Bulgaria B Croatia Office of the Ombudswoman of the Republic of Croatia Denmark Danish Institute for Human Rights Finland Human Rights Centre and the Parliamentary Ombudsman France Commission Nationale Consultative des Droits de l Homme (CNCDH) Georgia Office of Public Defender (Ombudsman) of Georgia Germany Deutsches Institut für Menschenrechte (German Institute for Human Rights) Great Britain Equality and Human Rights Commission Greece Greek National Commission for Human Rights Hungary Office of the Commissioner for Fundamental Rights Ireland Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission ENNHRI STRTEGIC PLN

11 Country Institution Website ccreditation Kosovo Ombudsperson Institution of Kosovo No ccreditation Latvia Ombudsman's Office of the Republic of Latvia Lithuania The Seimas Ombudsmen's Office of the Republic of Lithuania No ccreditation Luxembourg Commission Consultative des Droits de l'homme du Grand-Duché de Luxembourg Macedonia (FYROM) Ombudsman Institution of the Republic of Macedonia B Moldova People s dvocate of the Republic of Moldova B Netherlands Netherlands Institute for Human Rights Northern Ireland Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission Norway Norwegian Centre for Human Rights B Poland Human Rights Defender of Poland Portugal Provedor de Justicia Romania Romanian Institute for Human Rights C Scotland Scottish Human Rights Commission Serbia The Protector of Citizens of the Republic of Serbia Slovakia Slovenske narodne stredisko pre ludske prava (Slovak National Centre for Human Rights) B Slovenia Varuh Clovekovih Pravic RS (Human Rights Ombudsman) B Spain Defensor del Pueblo Sweden The Equality Ombudsman B Turkey National Human Rights Institution of Turkey No ccreditation Ukraine Office of the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights NNHRI EMBERS 10 ENNHRI STRTEGIC PLN

12 STRTEGIC PLN NNEX II: GOVERNNCE General ssembly The General ssembly is the highest decision making body, and is made up of all ENNHRI members. European Coordinating Committee (ECC) The ECC is made up of six elected status NHRIs. Each ECC member has a three-year mandate. The ECC drives ENNHRI s strategic priorities, led by its Chair. The Chair is elected by the General ssembly. He/she oversees the direction and management of ENNHRI and is its primary representative. Finance Committee ENNHRI s finance Committee, led by its Chair, oversees ENNHRI s budget, financial reporting and fundraising. Working Groups ENNHRI has the following Working Groups, with expertise in different thematic areas: Legal Working Group (European Human Rights structures) Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Working Group sylum and Migration Working Group Business and Human Rights Working Group Communications Group ccreditation Support Group Permanent Secretariat ENNHRI s Secretariat was established in 2013 in Brussels. It supports and facilitates ENNHRI s work and provides a central contact point for stakeholders. ENNHRI STRTEGIC PLN

13 Follow us on Photo Credits: Josh Zakary (CC/Flickr) ENNHRI 2016 ISSN

14 Rue Royale 138 B-1000 Brussels, Belgium Telephone: +32 (0) Follow us on Photo Credits: Josh Zakary (CC/Flickr) SUPPORTED BY ENNHRI 2016 ISSN CO-FUNDED BY THE EUROPEN UNION